Rethinking Disruptive Technologies: Benefits, Harms, and Injustices of Human Niche Construction.
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| Title: | Rethinking Disruptive Technologies: Benefits, Harms, and Injustices of Human Niche Construction. |
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| Authors: | Coninx, Sabrina1 (AUTHOR) s.coninx@vu.nl, Löhr, Guido1 (AUTHOR) g.lohr@vu.nl |
| Source: | Philosophy & Technology. Jun2026, Vol. 39 Issue 2, p1-25. 25p. |
| Abstract: | Disruptive technologies are a key theme in economics, the philosophy of technology, and situated cognition - yet these debates remain largely disconnected. This paper addresses four core questions that cut across them: (i) What, precisely, are disruptive technologies “disrupting” across the different contexts in which the literature situates them? (ii) Why do technological disruptions play such prominent roles, in multiple domains, concerning the development of our species, cultures, and personal lives? (iii) Are technological disruptions inherently beneficial or harmful, and how are potential benefits and harms brought about? (iv) What strategies are available for adaptation to disruptive technologies, and how accessible are they for different groups and individuals? To unify current debates and provide a conceptual and normative foundation for future research, we draw on niche construction theory. We argue that disruptive technologies cause technological niche disruptions (TENDs) that occur at various spatiotemporal scales. TENDs pressure social groups and individuals to adapt. As the abilities and resources that adaptation requires are often unevenly distributed, so are the harms and benefits TENDs produce. TENDs, therefore, both reflect and sustain existing inequalities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] |
| Copyright of Philosophy & Technology is the property of Springer Nature and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites without the copyright holder's express written permission. Additionally, content may not be used with any artificial intelligence tools or machine learning technologies. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.) | |
| Database: | Education Research Complete |
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| Header | DbId: ehh DbLabel: Education Research Complete An: 192580181 AccessLevel: 6 PubType: Academic Journal PubTypeId: academicJournal PreciseRelevancyScore: 0 |
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| Items | – Name: Title Label: Title Group: Ti Data: Rethinking Disruptive Technologies: Benefits, Harms, and Injustices of Human Niche Construction. – Name: Author Label: Authors Group: Au Data: <searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Coninx%2C+Sabrina%22">Coninx, Sabrina</searchLink><relatesTo>1</relatesTo> (AUTHOR)<i> s.coninx@vu.nl</i><br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Löhr%2C+Guido%22">Löhr, Guido</searchLink><relatesTo>1</relatesTo> (AUTHOR)<i> g.lohr@vu.nl</i> – Name: TitleSource Label: Source Group: Src Data: <searchLink fieldCode="JN" term="%22Philosophy+%26+Technology%22">Philosophy & Technology</searchLink>. Jun2026, Vol. 39 Issue 2, p1-25. 25p. – Name: Abstract Label: Abstract Group: Ab Data: Disruptive technologies are a key theme in economics, the philosophy of technology, and situated cognition - yet these debates remain largely disconnected. This paper addresses four core questions that cut across them: (i) What, precisely, are disruptive technologies “disrupting” across the different contexts in which the literature situates them? (ii) Why do technological disruptions play such prominent roles, in multiple domains, concerning the development of our species, cultures, and personal lives? (iii) Are technological disruptions inherently beneficial or harmful, and how are potential benefits and harms brought about? (iv) What strategies are available for adaptation to disruptive technologies, and how accessible are they for different groups and individuals? To unify current debates and provide a conceptual and normative foundation for future research, we draw on niche construction theory. We argue that disruptive technologies cause technological niche disruptions (TENDs) that occur at various spatiotemporal scales. TENDs pressure social groups and individuals to adapt. As the abilities and resources that adaptation requires are often unevenly distributed, so are the harms and benefits TENDs produce. TENDs, therefore, both reflect and sustain existing inequalities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] – Name: AbstractSuppliedCopyright Label: Group: Ab Data: <i>Copyright of Philosophy & Technology is the property of Springer Nature and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites without the copyright holder's express written permission. Additionally, content may not be used with any artificial intelligence tools or machine learning technologies. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract.</i> (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.) |
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| RecordInfo | BibRecord: BibEntity: Identifiers: – Type: doi Value: 10.1007/s13347-026-01046-z Languages: – Code: eng Text: English PhysicalDescription: Pagination: PageCount: 25 StartPage: 1 Titles: – TitleFull: Rethinking Disruptive Technologies: Benefits, Harms, and Injustices of Human Niche Construction. Type: main BibRelationships: HasContributorRelationships: – PersonEntity: Name: NameFull: Coninx, Sabrina – PersonEntity: Name: NameFull: Löhr, Guido IsPartOfRelationships: – BibEntity: Dates: – D: 01 M: 06 Text: Jun2026 Type: published Y: 2026 Identifiers: – Type: issn-print Value: 22105433 Numbering: – Type: volume Value: 39 – Type: issue Value: 2 Titles: – TitleFull: Philosophy & Technology Type: main |
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